Luka Modric celebrates after scoring Real Madrid's opening goal during a Spanish La Liga match against Girona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on Sunday. AP
Luka Modric scored a brilliant goal from long range to help Real Madrid secure a 2-0 win against Girona on Sunday, which took Los Blancos back level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
Vinicius Jr wrapped up the win late on, as Carlo Ancelotti's side produced a solid display at the Santiago Bernabeu.
After rival Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, now third, both won on Saturday, the pressure was on for the champion in the extremely tight title race.
Madrid had not won in its prior three league games, but flexed its muscles by thrashing Manchester City in the Champions League in midweek.
"It's a very important win, we have to stay in the fight," Modric told Real Madrid TV.
"We can't let our level slip and consider ourselves satisfied, we can still grow as a team."
The Croatian's goal was the highlight of the match.
"I was by myself, I controlled the ball, I hit it well and it went in," Modric added.
"I don't know if it's one of the most spectacular I've scored, it was really nice, it's always special to score at the Bernabeu."
Madrid was without suspended England international Jude Bellingham after getting a red card the previous weekend.
Last year's surprise title contender Girona was hard for Madrid to break down, but far less threatening in attack than at its fluent best.
Paulo Gazzaniga made a good save against Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius let a good attacking opportunity break down instead of looking for his French strike partner.
Girona winger Viktor Tsygankov should have struck for the visitor, but blazed a good opportunity over the bar, snatching at his shot.
With the game trickling towards halftime, Modric sent Madrid ahead with a rocket from distance.
The 39-year-old midfielder controlled the ball after a corner was cleared into his path, and hammered a superb strike beyond the helpless Gazzaniga.
"Modric is a gift for football, he should continue as long as he wants," Madrid boss Ancelotti said.
"What he does, he does very well, we've been lucky to have a legend with us."
Madrid had further chances to extend its lead in the second half, with Vinicius clipping the crossbar with a curling effort from the edge of the box.
Gazzaniga again made a fine save to thwart Mbappe after he controlled a dropping ball brilliantly.
Eventually, Mbappe fed Vinicius with a perfectly-weighted pass for the second goal, which the Brazilian brushed past the Girona keeper.
Madrid has been engaged in a battle with Spanish officials in the past few weeks, but with the exception of one moment where Rodrygo found his path blocked by the referee, it had nothing to complain about on a tranquil afternoon in the Spanish capital.
Some home fans whistled as players stood alongside a slogan reading "respect the referee, respect football" before the game.
David Alaba started for Los Blancos for the first time in over a year, following a severe knee injury.
"It's a very important win for us, we are very happy, it's a good moment for us," the Austrian defender told Real Madrid TV.
"I am very, very happy, after the injury, I was ready to start this game."
Girona coach Michel Sanchez said his side, 12th, was bound to struggle against the European champion.
"Real Madrid know every point is vital, and, coming here at this point of the season is hard," said Sanchez.
AFP
